The Sage of Experience

The older I get, the more I realize God allowed me to go through major trials and tribulations to mold and shape me into the woman I am today. Many tell me they admire my determined spirit that never gives up. In knowing my life story, they admit that the faint of heart would not have survived the things I have endured. Though bearing scars from life, I know those scars are not in vain, because my purpose is to help others see their true self in order to grow through the pains of life. Life’s storms have tested my resolve, yet, still I stand. Sometimes God is my crutch so I do not collapse under the pressure. Even as I reflect back over my life, I know and accept that my days were ordered before I was called to enter this world (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 37:23).

The Bible says that the elder women are to teach young women because they have life experiences younger women can benefit from (Titus 3:3-4). I take that task to heart because the people, places and things encountered in life are to help encourage another woman on her life’s journey. So much so that I bared my soul for the world to see when I penned and later published my story. Only the selfish hold on to the valuable nuggets God allowed them to pick up as they embarked on their journey. The book of Job tells us that everything set against us must receive His permission because He knows what the outcome will be (Job 1:1-12).

Many of us lose hope and take on the victim mentality; however, Job is the greatest example of remaining true to God in spite of what things look like and seem to the naked eye. Regardless of his valley experience and what his wife and friends threw at him, Job remained true to God. In his experience, God had never let him down. He knew God would turn his bad experience into good. God sees us right where we are and knows how things look on the other side of that valley experience. He knows who will curse His name because of their short sightedness. He knows who will remain faithful, even though they cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Life takes shape by the various experiences we encounter. Those realities shape our very existence; however, the tricky part is not allowing them to dictate who we become. It is hard fully accepting and knowing that God really is in control of our life journey. He allows us to make decisions on which path to choose regardless of the outcome (Proverbs 19:21, Philippians 4:6-7). It is in those decisions that He allows us to go through things to grow us up in some area or another. Our responsibility is not to become the victim, rather, instead praise Him anyhow, no matter how hard things are (Isaiah 41:10). During the times of uncertainty is when we can benefit most from a wise sage. God instructed us to do life together and to live boldly on purpose (Hebrews 10:24). Had it not been for the people He placed in my life at just the right time, I think I would still be stuck in the victim mindset. Yet, He has a divine plan for my life that is still unfolding before me (Jeremiah 29:11). The women who have spurred me on will never know how grateful I am to them for their blatant honesty, wisdom given, love, support and encouragement those days I felt like giving up. They built me up as planned according to God’s purpose for me. Likewise, it is my duty to do and be the same for other women.

In all, do not allow the physicality of life to bog you down and cause your spirit to be heavy. Accept every trial and tribulation, no matter how hard it may be, as a lesson to learn. Learn the lesson, grow mentally, emotionally and spiritually, and keep the train moving. Although it will not always make sense, trust the process. The woman you become on the other side will be fierce and unstoppable because of knowing to whom she belongs and who holds the keys to her destiny (Isaiah 48:10). As life unfolds, never be afraid to seek out the wise, older women you know. If you do not know any, ask God to send them to you. Life is always in flux and the outcome is determined by the power source we are connected to (John 15:5).

Grace & Such strives to advance Christian growth among women. While we believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, we also recognize human interpretations are imperfect. Grace & Such encourages our readers to open their Bibles, pray for wisdom and study for themselves what the Word says. For more about who we are, please visit the About Us page.

Denise Frank is a 12th grade reading teacher and author who keeps busy with writing and her efforts to obtain a Master's degree in Psychology with emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis. She's a mom to four and GG (Gorgeous Grandma) to one.

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Too many nuggets of gold to pick up here, but I was truly moved by this confirmation that God has laid on my heart lately…”Only the selfish hold on to the valuable nuggets God allowed them to pick up as they embarked on their journey.” Thanks, Denise, for your transparency in sharing your story – I trust God has used it beyond what you could ever imagine for the good of others.

This: “Accept every trial and tribulation, no matter how hard it may be, as a lesson to learn.” and this: “During the times of uncertainty is when we can benefit most from a wise sage.” So helpful to have those people in your life, who love you and want the best for you and will give you wisdom. Thanks Denise!

WELCOME TO GRACE & SUCH

As our tagline says, we’re a bunch of women writing about grace. And such. We are a diverse group with the common goal to encourage others by sharing what God has done for us and what he’s shown us through his Word.

Our diversity means we don’t always agree, but that’s okay. Because we’re all covered by God’s grace, so doesn’t it stand to reason we should pass it on?